NBSR 2318, 2319, 2612 and another unit are beside them.
To the left you can see the passenger excursion train, and behind that the corpse of NBSR 3700.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
CP train still in Saint John
As you can see, the CP train was in front of the NB Southern shops at their Dever Road yard in Saint John.
NBSR 2318, 2319, 2612 and another unit are beside them.
To the left you can see the passenger excursion train, and behind that the corpse of NBSR 3700.
NBSR 2318, 2319, 2612 and another unit are beside them.
To the left you can see the passenger excursion train, and behind that the corpse of NBSR 3700.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
YouTube CFMG videos
Here are three videos from new YouTuber pyg2001.
First, a nice one of CFMG 402 in Trois-Pistoles on January 27. It's dark but I like the sunrise in the background.
Next, a Loram railgrinder on the CFMG from January 21. It wasn't grinding at the time, alas, but still a nice video. I like the sound of the tail-end horn in the first clip - kind of like an elephant fart.
Finally, a shot of a long CN 305 passing the Trois-Pistoles station in the night of May 12, 2007 during the short detour. Unfortunately it was quite dark.
First, a nice one of CFMG 402 in Trois-Pistoles on January 27. It's dark but I like the sunrise in the background.
Next, a Loram railgrinder on the CFMG from January 21. It wasn't grinding at the time, alas, but still a nice video. I like the sound of the tail-end horn in the first clip - kind of like an elephant fart.
Finally, a shot of a long CN 305 passing the Trois-Pistoles station in the night of May 12, 2007 during the short detour. Unfortunately it was quite dark.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Gotcha!
Armed with the knowledge that the CP track evaluation train was coming, I decided to head to Fredericton Junction right after supper to try to catch it before it got too dark. My two youngest kids and I hit the road at 17:50 and raced to the Junction. As we went by Tracy, the scanner lit up with a conversation between the RTC and NBSR 2319 East, the freight train, at 18:24. The gist of what they said was:
- NBSR 2319 East was between mile 36 (Hoyt) and 24 (Welsford).
- The CP train was still in McAdam, being refueled.
Knowing that, I knew I had lots of time before the CP TEC train showed up. We parked by the Fredericton Junction station and I let the kids run around for a while, before loading them back in the van to go up the line toward Cork. Since it had just rained, I figured the dirt road was not worth traveling on, so we parked in sight of the crossing at the end of pavement at mile 52.48. I put a DVD on and broke out the snacks.
At 19:34 the scanner chirped an EOT signal ("train nearby!!") so I jumped out of the van and ran toward the crossing. The lights came on and I saw headlights in the distance. I taped them there then set off in hot pursuit. I passed a sluggish pickup truck and got to the crossing at mile 49 about 30 seconds before the train got there at 19:40. Then it was off to Tracy.
The train was CP GP9 8218, tool car (boxcar) CP 424994, accommodation car CP 65 and track evaluation car CP 64. The last two cars were stainless steel cars.
The crossing lights were on at Tracy as I approached, and unfortunately I got behind a very slow pickup. I watched in despair as it started pulling away from us, but fortunately the other lane was clear when we got to the 80 km/h zone and I pulled over the dotted line to make my escape. I got to "downtown" Fredericton Junction in good time, parked near the caboose and walked across the tracks to get a shot of the train with the CP caboose in the background at 19:48.
Given the failing light and the kids needing to get to bed at a reasonable hour, I gave up the chase there and headed home.
Hopefully someone can get some still shots of the train in Saint John before its return next week. If I hear when it is coming back, you'll be the first to know.
More TEC train posts
- NBSR 2319 East was between mile 36 (Hoyt) and 24 (Welsford).
- The CP train was still in McAdam, being refueled.
Knowing that, I knew I had lots of time before the CP TEC train showed up. We parked by the Fredericton Junction station and I let the kids run around for a while, before loading them back in the van to go up the line toward Cork. Since it had just rained, I figured the dirt road was not worth traveling on, so we parked in sight of the crossing at the end of pavement at mile 52.48. I put a DVD on and broke out the snacks.
At 19:34 the scanner chirped an EOT signal ("train nearby!!") so I jumped out of the van and ran toward the crossing. The lights came on and I saw headlights in the distance. I taped them there then set off in hot pursuit. I passed a sluggish pickup truck and got to the crossing at mile 49 about 30 seconds before the train got there at 19:40. Then it was off to Tracy.
The train was CP GP9 8218, tool car (boxcar) CP 424994, accommodation car CP 65 and track evaluation car CP 64. The last two cars were stainless steel cars.
The crossing lights were on at Tracy as I approached, and unfortunately I got behind a very slow pickup. I watched in despair as it started pulling away from us, but fortunately the other lane was clear when we got to the 80 km/h zone and I pulled over the dotted line to make my escape. I got to "downtown" Fredericton Junction in good time, parked near the caboose and walked across the tracks to get a shot of the train with the CP caboose in the background at 19:48.
Given the failing light and the kids needing to get to bed at a reasonable hour, I gave up the chase there and headed home.
Hopefully someone can get some still shots of the train in Saint John before its return next week. If I hear when it is coming back, you'll be the first to know.
More TEC train posts
FLASH: CP Track Evaluation Train Imminent
I just got word that the CP track evaluation (TEC) train is en route to New Brunswick. It should be in McAdam within 2 hours (say around 5-5:30 PM) and carry on to Saint John to lay over for the weekend. They will work the track on the way back next week... probably up to McAdam then down the St. Stephen sub like last year.
The eastbound freight is due into McAdam around 16:30 today, so the TEC train will run after the freight.
The eastbound freight is due into McAdam around 16:30 today, so the TEC train will run after the freight.
How to Film From Too Close to the Tracks
This is TOO CLOSE. Take some steps back. Your camera has a zoom lens - use it for your own safety.
Read the comments on the video:
- "Grâce à des imbéciles comme toi, les VRAIS amateurs de train se font détester par les équipes de trains!" (Thanks to imbeciles like you, TRUE train amateurs are hated by train crews!)
- "Tu n'es qu'un imbecile pour filmer les trains de si pres et en plus la qualite est degeux!" (You are an imbecile to film the trains so close and the quality is poor!)
- "Should film the trains right at the corner. Can stand farther back for a better view"
Stay safe!
New potash mine for N.B.
Potash Corp. unveils new New Brunswick mine
CBC reports that the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. plans to build a new mine near its existing Sussex operation to be operational by 2011.
More traffic for CN!
CBC reports that the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. plans to build a new mine near its existing Sussex operation to be operational by 2011.
More traffic for CN!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Petition to Save the Fredericton Railway Station
Many of you know the sad state of the former Canadian Pacific Railway station in Fredericton. Heritage Canada listed it amongst the 10 most endangered heritage buildings in Canada. Web site InFredericton describes it as the dilapidated remains of a once vibrant building. This unique structure deserves to be preserved.
The Fredericton Friends of the Railway have been trying to get it refurbished, but they have run into a number of roadblocks. Now, Tim Scammel has produced an online petition as a call to action for the three levels of government to get involved and save this valuable property before it is gone forever. Witness the recent destruction of the Kentville roundhouse, which was the last roundhouse in Nova Scotia. Get on board!
Sign the petition
NB Southern transfer train video
Dave Dineen has posted a video of NBSR 9803 and 2318 taking a short transfer train from Island Yard to the Dever Road yard on YouTube.
The video features two segments, one at the mouth of Island Yard and one at Mill Street.
The video features two segments, one at the mouth of Island Yard and one at Mill Street.
Friday, July 13, 2007
New YouTube blogger
New YouTuber JamminJoel has put a few videos up.
This one from January 13 2007 shows the NB Southern eastbound train at the highway 630 crossing, just on the New Brunswick side of the Maine border. NBSR 9802, yellow 2317, green 2319 and 9801 supplied the power for a decent-sized train.
The train continued on with NBSR 2318 added. Joel shot it at Harvey Station by the highway crossing.
He also has a few CB&CNS videos up... check them all out. Here's one from November 3, 2006.
This one from January 13 2007 shows the NB Southern eastbound train at the highway 630 crossing, just on the New Brunswick side of the Maine border. NBSR 9802, yellow 2317, green 2319 and 9801 supplied the power for a decent-sized train.
The train continued on with NBSR 2318 added. Joel shot it at Harvey Station by the highway crossing.
He also has a few CB&CNS videos up... check them all out. Here's one from November 3, 2006.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
New/old videos on YouTube
In my continuing quest to put all my train videos on YouTube, I put another six CN videos online. Here are a few.
CN 148 near Milford on October 26, 2002. David Othen and I were just wrapping up a great railfanning morning. This train had two CN blue test cars right behind the engines.
CN 149 at McGivney on February 19, 2004. This was the same day a big winter storm hit Nova Scotia, but not New Brunswick.
CN 701 at Windsor Junction, NS on April 22, 2004. Bill Linley and I had just seen 120 come through the Junction, then 701 left.
CN 148 arriving at Halifax, NS in 2004.
CN 148 near Milford on October 26, 2002. David Othen and I were just wrapping up a great railfanning morning. This train had two CN blue test cars right behind the engines.
CN 149 at McGivney on February 19, 2004. This was the same day a big winter storm hit Nova Scotia, but not New Brunswick.
CN 701 at Windsor Junction, NS on April 22, 2004. Bill Linley and I had just seen 120 come through the Junction, then 701 left.
CN 148 arriving at Halifax, NS in 2004.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Trains on the 5th of July
Kevin G chased VIA 14 and 15 on a rainy July 5. Here are a few of his videos, from YouTube.
VIA 14 (with 6428 and 6403) at Shediac Road:
Then VIA 14 again at Sackville:
And finally VIA 14 leaving Amherst:
VIA 15 (with 6427 and 6405) atSackville Amherst:
Here it is at Gort (passing Gordon Yard in Moncton).
EDIT: I put Sackville instead of Amherst for the fourth video - thanks for the correction!
VIA 14 (with 6428 and 6403) at Shediac Road:
Then VIA 14 again at Sackville:
And finally VIA 14 leaving Amherst:
VIA 15 (with 6427 and 6405) at
Here it is at Gort (passing Gordon Yard in Moncton).
EDIT: I put Sackville instead of Amherst for the fourth video - thanks for the correction!
Monday, July 09, 2007
Saint John Wallboard Spur Photos
Ask and ye shall receive! Ron Grant sent me a handful of photos of the new wallboard spur under construction in Saint John, at the site of the old drydock.
It looks like the switch is just off Bayside Drive. I hope to get down to Saint John sometime to have a look for myself!
It looks like the switch is just off Bayside Drive. I hope to get down to Saint John sometime to have a look for myself!
Photo of MM&A units in Moncton
Phil Ross kindly gave me permission to post his photo of the two MM&A units (8569 and 8578) in Gordon Yard in Moncton this evening. Thanks, Phil!
MM&A in New Brunswick
Two MM&A units, 8569 and 8578, came into Saint John this morning at 2 AM. I'm told there is a major derailment in Maine and the units are going the long way around to get back to home territory. They were taken to Island Yard today and went to Moncton on CN 305 - Wendell Lemon reported them in Moncton at 5 PM tonight.
Here's a photo of 8569 by Rod Bushway, from RailPictures.
Here's a photo of 8569 by Rod Bushway, from RailPictures.
Friday, July 06, 2007
New Siding in Saint John
There is a new siding being built in Saint John to serve the new Irving Wallboard plant on Bayside Drive (at the former shipbuilding site). It is an extension of the current Irving Paper spur behind the NB Power Courtenay Bay plant across Bayside Drive to a new covered warehouse on the former shipbuilding site. This will be serviced by NB Southern, of course.
Hopefully someone will have pictures soon! :)
Hopefully someone will have pictures soon! :)
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Various Sightings
First off, happy Canada Day! Or as old farts like me say, Dominion Day.
Danny McCracken called yesterday and left a message that the NB Southern excursion train would be leaving Saint John today (Canada Day) at 7 AM to proceed to McAdam for the 11 AM excursion run to Harvey.
He also mentioned that the eastbound train departed McAdam at 15:10 with NBSR 9801, 9802, 2612 and 2318. Thanks, Danny!
I would have liked to chase the excursion train on its way to McAdam this morning, but I had to take my mom to Moncton to fly out at 06:15. When I left the airport at 05:30 I flipped on the scanner and I heard someone talking French to the Napadogan RTC. My French is not great but I heard them reading the number of loads and empties so I figured it was a departing westbound. At that time of the morning it had to be CN 305.
I decided to go to Berry Mills and see if I could get them before they went by. I parked there and waited, and soon I heard them call the Lutes station sign, then at 05:58 I saw them on the long straightaway. Soon CN 2574, 5313 and 2589 went by with a whopping 123 cars. No DPU, by the way.
I knew it was going to be a blur shot when my camera wanted to do a shutter speed of 1/60 second at ISO 200. Just not enough light...
After that, I went to Gordon Yard to see what was happening... zilch. These were the units in the yard: CN 6007, CN 4729, CN 4727, CN 4012, CN 4719.
Have fun today!
Danny McCracken called yesterday and left a message that the NB Southern excursion train would be leaving Saint John today (Canada Day) at 7 AM to proceed to McAdam for the 11 AM excursion run to Harvey.
He also mentioned that the eastbound train departed McAdam at 15:10 with NBSR 9801, 9802, 2612 and 2318. Thanks, Danny!
I would have liked to chase the excursion train on its way to McAdam this morning, but I had to take my mom to Moncton to fly out at 06:15. When I left the airport at 05:30 I flipped on the scanner and I heard someone talking French to the Napadogan RTC. My French is not great but I heard them reading the number of loads and empties so I figured it was a departing westbound. At that time of the morning it had to be CN 305.
I decided to go to Berry Mills and see if I could get them before they went by. I parked there and waited, and soon I heard them call the Lutes station sign, then at 05:58 I saw them on the long straightaway. Soon CN 2574, 5313 and 2589 went by with a whopping 123 cars. No DPU, by the way.
I knew it was going to be a blur shot when my camera wanted to do a shutter speed of 1/60 second at ISO 200. Just not enough light...
After that, I went to Gordon Yard to see what was happening... zilch. These were the units in the yard: CN 6007, CN 4729, CN 4727, CN 4012, CN 4719.
Have fun today!
Friday, June 29, 2007
NBEC train 403 today
 |
| NBEC 6900 ready to head out of Miramichi, June 29, 2007 |
CFMG 6907 was the power in the yard for 402 to Moncton. There was some MOW equipment beside it.
 |
| CFMG 6907 waiting its turn |
See Also
Thursday, June 28, 2007
CPR Track Evaluation Train on the way?
I heard the CP TEC (track evaluation) train was on the Sherbrooke subdivision in Quebec yesterday morning. Hopefully we'll see it come to New Brunswick shortly.
This year it has CP 8218, a box car and stainless cars 64 and 65, totally different than last year's train.
Here's a great shot by Frank Jolin of the train crossing the Richelieu River on June 26 (two days ago).
This year it has CP 8218, a box car and stainless cars 64 and 65, totally different than last year's train.
Here's a great shot by Frank Jolin of the train crossing the Richelieu River on June 26 (two days ago).
Monday, June 25, 2007
VIA 15 Hits An ATV
I'm told VIA 15 hit an ATV at Beresford, just north of Bathurst, this evening. Here is a photo of the Ocean stopped at Beresford at 8:04 PM. This photo was taken from the overpass at the highway 11 exit.I'm told the ATV riders, a father and son, were killed. Nothing on the CBC web site yet.
More NB Southern action on YouTube
Gary Lee has posted some videos of the local switcher (currently NBSR 9801) doing its thing in McAdam.
Here 9801 is running light up to the crew shack.
9801 pulls a set of gypsum cars up to the station.
9801 and the caboose, 434919, roll by the station.
Thanks, Gary! Can we see some of the big freight train too?
Here 9801 is running light up to the crew shack.
9801 pulls a set of gypsum cars up to the station.
9801 and the caboose, 434919, roll by the station.
Thanks, Gary! Can we see some of the big freight train too?
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Windsor and Hantsport
Noting the rumours about the cessation of some freight service on the Windsor & Hantsport, Ivan Smith has created a page documenting what might be one of the last freight runs on the W&H. Check it out!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Trains in Moncton
I was in Moncton today on my way to the Open House at the New Brunswick Railway Museum, and I happened to see a few trains on the way.
CN 6021 was zipping around in Gordon Yard at about 11:40 this morning.
CN 4727 and 4729 were resting. I saw what looked like 4709 and 4719 behind them with a 4xxx GP9.
VIA 14 came in a little late with 6427 and 6405 leading a Renaissance
train, with Evangeline Park bringing up the markers. It arrived at what
used to be West End at 12:04 after stopping at a red light at Marsh
Junction for some reason. I saw the new signals by the station and of
course the West End sign and signals are down.
When I was leaving the Moncton area around 3 PM, I heard the Springhill
RTC having a big discussion with CN 307 about where they would meet VIA
15. They decided to have the 9000 foot 307 stop in Amherst, pull ahead
a bit and let 15 into the station track, then back up to let 15 out.
Apparently they were a bit too long for the 8900? foot siding there.
CN 6021 was zipping around in Gordon Yard at about 11:40 this morning.
CN 4727 and 4729 were resting. I saw what looked like 4709 and 4719 behind them with a 4xxx GP9.
VIA 14 came in a little late with 6427 and 6405 leading a Renaissance
train, with Evangeline Park bringing up the markers. It arrived at what
used to be West End at 12:04 after stopping at a red light at Marsh
Junction for some reason. I saw the new signals by the station and of
course the West End sign and signals are down.
When I was leaving the Moncton area around 3 PM, I heard the Springhill
RTC having a big discussion with CN 307 about where they would meet VIA
15. They decided to have the 9000 foot 307 stop in Amherst, pull ahead
a bit and let 15 into the station track, then back up to let 15 out.
Apparently they were a bit too long for the 8900? foot siding there.
New Brunswick Railway Museum Open House
I'm off to the open house today at the New Brunswick Railway Museum. The site will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. This will be a casual day, and a great chance to meet and socialize with your rail enthusiast buddies and to hear all the stories about the winter's happenings. It will also be a chance for visitors to wander around the site, and refresh their memories of some of our equipment and artefacts. For others it will be a chance to note the changes since their last visit to our site.
There will be a BBQ from 11:00 to serve up free hot dogs and soft drinks. At about 1:00 PM we will unveil a plaque to honour the CRHA Members, Supporters and Volunteers, who have left this world.
I hope to see you there!
There will be a BBQ from 11:00 to serve up free hot dogs and soft drinks. At about 1:00 PM we will unveil a plaque to honour the CRHA Members, Supporters and Volunteers, who have left this world.
I hope to see you there!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Saint John's Tuesday Trains
When I arrived in Saint John on Tuesday, I heard NBSR 2317 talking with the RTC. 2317 was heading up the transfer freight trying to get over to Island Yard. There was some MOW work going on near the Reversing Falls bridge that they had to wait for, then they got permission to proceed. Here 2317 and 9803 are going over the bridge at 10:00 with four boxcars and a bunch of doublestack container flats.
I caught them again at Bentley Street:
From the chatter on the radio it sounded like they would have to wait for another maintainer to finish putting some ballast on the tracks before they could proceed to Island Yard.
Speaking of Island Yard, CN 2573, 5559 and 5621 were parked in the yard while CN 7079 and NBSR 3701 did some shunting.
I was fortunate to catch a glimpse of the elusive Courtenay Bay potash switcher. This was literally a stop the car, jump out and take the picture shot, before the switcher disappeared behind a string of cars. That switcher is hard to photograph!
Radio chatter indicated that NB Southern would be sending a ballast train out at 3 PM.
Later in the day, I saw the CN 305 power over at the Courtenay Bay potash terminal. The smokestacks in the background are for the Courtenay Bay power plant, with the short one being the stack for the Bayside gas turbine.
I thought I would try an overhead shot from the Courtenay Bay causeway, so I parked nearby and walked over. I do not recommend this location, as it is not safe. There is no walkway and cars are zipping by at a good clip. Since I was there, I took the shot, but I will not return there again.
This looks dangerous but it really isn't. There was some chatter about when 305 could return to Island Yard. Apparently 7079 had some more switching to do, so 305 elected to go to Cain's Corner so as to clear the potash terminal and let them do some switching. 305 took 45 cars over and stopped just short of the crossing. One crewman walked over to the signal box and made the gates go back up, which is when I got this shot as I drove through the crossing.
Over on the west side, NBSR 3703 was doing some shunting at the west end of the yard. To my surprise, they had CN caboose 79624 with them. I had seen this caboose deep in the yard before, but I never had a chance to take a photo until now. I assume the caboose was there to provide additional braking power for 3703.
It's in pretty good shape, considering.
As I left Saint John, I heard someone say they were cutting one engine out of a consist to use as the ballast train's power. They were taking 10 cars out (+1 = a caboose?) and wouldn't be on the road until at least 15:30, which was too late for me. The eastbound freight was just getting into McAdam at 16:00.
Here's a little clip of 3703 I took with my Canon.
I caught them again at Bentley Street:
From the chatter on the radio it sounded like they would have to wait for another maintainer to finish putting some ballast on the tracks before they could proceed to Island Yard.
Speaking of Island Yard, CN 2573, 5559 and 5621 were parked in the yard while CN 7079 and NBSR 3701 did some shunting.
I was fortunate to catch a glimpse of the elusive Courtenay Bay potash switcher. This was literally a stop the car, jump out and take the picture shot, before the switcher disappeared behind a string of cars. That switcher is hard to photograph!Radio chatter indicated that NB Southern would be sending a ballast train out at 3 PM.
Later in the day, I saw the CN 305 power over at the Courtenay Bay potash terminal. The smokestacks in the background are for the Courtenay Bay power plant, with the short one being the stack for the Bayside gas turbine.
I thought I would try an overhead shot from the Courtenay Bay causeway, so I parked nearby and walked over. I do not recommend this location, as it is not safe. There is no walkway and cars are zipping by at a good clip. Since I was there, I took the shot, but I will not return there again.
This looks dangerous but it really isn't. There was some chatter about when 305 could return to Island Yard. Apparently 7079 had some more switching to do, so 305 elected to go to Cain's Corner so as to clear the potash terminal and let them do some switching. 305 took 45 cars over and stopped just short of the crossing. One crewman walked over to the signal box and made the gates go back up, which is when I got this shot as I drove through the crossing.Over on the west side, NBSR 3703 was doing some shunting at the west end of the yard. To my surprise, they had CN caboose 79624 with them. I had seen this caboose deep in the yard before, but I never had a chance to take a photo until now. I assume the caboose was there to provide additional braking power for 3703.
It's in pretty good shape, considering.
As I left Saint John, I heard someone say they were cutting one engine out of a consist to use as the ballast train's power. They were taking 10 cars out (+1 = a caboose?) and wouldn't be on the road until at least 15:30, which was too late for me. The eastbound freight was just getting into McAdam at 16:00.
Here's a little clip of 3703 I took with my Canon.
Do You Think Railpictures Would Like This Shot?
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...or is there just a bit too much foreground clutter?
A real post to come, about Saint John yesterday.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
July 1 Excursion from McAdam
Danny McCracken alerted the RailsNB group that NB Southern is running an excursion on July 1 from McAdam to Harvey and back. Tickets are $15, or $10 for those under 12. Tickets go on sale at noon Friday June 22 at the McAdam Village Office and they are NOT doing phone sales.
I didn't see them last year but Peter Gough did.
I didn't see them last year but Peter Gough did.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Kevin's Photos
Here's a few images that Kevin Gaudet sent me from Kevin's visit to Saint John in May. The first two show CN 7000 and NBSR 2610 at the west end of the ex-CN yard in Saint John.
CN 7010 also made an appearance that day, at the same location.
I embedded a few of Kevin's videos from that day a while ago.
CN 7010 also made an appearance that day, at the same location.
I embedded a few of Kevin's videos from that day a while ago.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
CP Track Inspection Train?
Has anyone heard about the CP track inspection train, and if it will be visiting us again this year? I heard it was around Montreal in June, with CP GP9 8218 leading tool car CP 424994, accomodation car CP 65 and track evaluation car CP 64. photos
I saw the CP TEC train on June 20 last year. It was a totally different consist, though: CP 8217, CP 68, CP 424993, and CP 63.
I saw the CP TEC train on June 20 last year. It was a totally different consist, though: CP 8217, CP 68, CP 424993, and CP 63.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Web Site Ramblings
I thought I'd share a few more statistics on my web site, just in case you needed something to put you to sleep.
Web traffic has been pretty constant over the past month, which is fine by me. I'm doing this mostly for myself, and I cover a very specific topic, so I don't expect huge growth or popularity. I'm just glad people find use in my site.
The people who use my site tend to live in North America, more specifically in the northeast portion of the continent, which should be no surprise. Nobody from Greenland or Alaska looked at my site last month - what a pity!
Judging by ad clicks, the most popular section of my site is the videos (27%), with the NB Southern section a distant second (17%) and the CN, New Brunswick East Coast and general New Brunswick sections about tied for third (around 8% each).
I intend to go through my web site and embed some YouTube versions of videos into the basic web pages to provide not only pictures but videos of each unit, if possible. I want to script that so I don't have to go back and update the page itself when I add a video. Similarly, I want to replace the pictures in my web site with references to my photo gallery so people can download higher resolution photos if they are available.
Do you have any thoughts on how I can improve the site for you?
Web traffic has been pretty constant over the past month, which is fine by me. I'm doing this mostly for myself, and I cover a very specific topic, so I don't expect huge growth or popularity. I'm just glad people find use in my site.The people who use my site tend to live in North America, more specifically in the northeast portion of the continent, which should be no surprise. Nobody from Greenland or Alaska looked at my site last month - what a pity!
Judging by ad clicks, the most popular section of my site is the videos (27%), with the NB Southern section a distant second (17%) and the CN, New Brunswick East Coast and general New Brunswick sections about tied for third (around 8% each).
I intend to go through my web site and embed some YouTube versions of videos into the basic web pages to provide not only pictures but videos of each unit, if possible. I want to script that so I don't have to go back and update the page itself when I add a video. Similarly, I want to replace the pictures in my web site with references to my photo gallery so people can download higher resolution photos if they are available.
Do you have any thoughts on how I can improve the site for you?
Something A Little Different
Simon Belanger has uploaded an interesting video of a few NBEC/CFMG trains... from Microsoft Train Simulator. Very nice modeling, if you ask me.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Green NBSR 2317
Dave Dineen caught the newly painted NBSR 2317 working the Dever Road yard in Saint John with NBSR 9803. This shot was taken at the west end of the yard, notorious for its poor photo angles. It's something, anyway. :)
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
More YouTube videos
While I was shoveling dirt on Sunday (June 10), Kevin G was shooting video in the Moncton-Amherst area and putting them on YouTube. Who was having more fun?
Here is VIA 14 at Shediac Road, proceeding very slowly for some reason. Kevin has a different shot this time, which I think works a lot better than just showing the train going through the crossing from afar. 14 had 6421 and 6405 with 15 Ren cars
Here is VIA 15 with 6409 and 6424 arriving at Amherst.
Kevin got CN/WC 6941 working at Gort while waiting for VIA 15.
And VIA 15 at Gort on its way out of Moncton.
Thanks, Kevin!
Here is VIA 14 at Shediac Road, proceeding very slowly for some reason. Kevin has a different shot this time, which I think works a lot better than just showing the train going through the crossing from afar. 14 had 6421 and 6405 with 15 Ren cars
Here is VIA 15 with 6409 and 6424 arriving at Amherst.
Kevin got CN/WC 6941 working at Gort while waiting for VIA 15.
And VIA 15 at Gort on its way out of Moncton.
Thanks, Kevin!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Another NB Southern Excursion Train Chase
I decided to take the kids to go see the afternoon NB Southern excursion train on Saturday. I had hoped that they would meet the eastbound freight at Welsford, but a quick call told me that they left Brownville Junction at around 11 AM and would not be meeting the passenger train. Too bad.
The train was scheduled to leave at 2 PM, and I was well past Grand Bay on the South Bay Road by then. At 14:15 I decided to set up at mile 6 to wait for them, figuring they should be along any time. After about 10 minutes, Dave Dineen came along and we waited together. I heard on the scanner that they were passing NBSR 3703 in the yard at about 14:25 so it was obvious they were late. They showed up at 14:39.
We chased them from there, but we were stuck behind a very slow yellow car and did not catch up to them for quite a while. They passed under us at the overpass by the Co-Op in Grand Bay, and we finally started (slowly) catching up to them through Grand Bay. Another slow vehicle kept us from getting ahead of them until we had left Grand Bay. I chose to get them at Westfield Beach, at 14:57.
Right after they passed the siding, they slowed right down. It became clear that there was a slow order between mile 14 (Westfield Beach) and mile 17. Too bad for the passengers, good for us! I think it was a 10 MPH slow order so it was no problem at all to keep leapfrogging the train.
Here they are at 15:03 just past the Westfield Beach overpass.
And again at 15:08 at Sagwa?
A little farther down the line at 15:12. Notice the railfan on the side of the road filming the train. I didn't recognize this person.
I always wanted to shoot a train on the bridge at mile 17. This was my chance!
They opened it right up after that and I barely beat them to the LaFarge road crossing. I slapped the tripod up, turned the camera on, and just managed to catch this at 15:19.
I taped them at the highway 7 crossing at 15:23, then went to the west end of the siding to see 9803 run around the train. They had to stop to line the switches, go through derails, etc. so it is a bit time-consuming to do the runaround.
They went back across highway 7 at 15:50. Here they are at 16:04.
I shot them at 16:06, taped them at 16:08 and shot them again at 16:10. Thank you, slow order!
For my final shot, I decided to try shooting them at Westfield Beach from across the Nerepis River. I crossed the river beside the old CN line and set up at the little trail shack on the other side. They showed up at 16:20. The shot was a little hazy and they were behind the MOW equipment in the siding, but hey, it was worth a try.
After all that excitement, I thought I might have a chance to get the eastbound freight too. We proceeded up the back way through Wirral, Hoyt and so forth. As I approached the lumber yard outside Fredericton Junction, I saw boxcars going the other way at 17:00. I turned around but they got to the highway crossing before I did. I caught up to them by the Hoyt Station Road and I decided to try to get them at Enniskillen.
That was a bad choice, as it took too long to get down to the tracks from the highway. I should have kept on to Wirral - it's closer to the road. As it happened, I saw the crossing lights on as I approached the crossing and NBSR 9802 East burst through as I was slowing to stop. The train had NBSR 9802, 2319, 2318 and 9801 leading a 57-car consist:
2 MEC hoppers
13 extra-height boxcars
4 MEC hoppers
6 extra-height boxcars
2 cryo boxcars
5 extra-height boxcars
2 cryo boxcars
1 long boxcar
3 extra-height boxcars
2 cryo boxcars
1 extra-height boxcar
2 DTTX container flats (one single, one doublestack)
3 autoracks
1 empty centerbeam flat
10 woodchip cars (BAR, NBSR, MMA)
244 axles, according to the Hoyt hotbox detector.
We gave up after that, and headed for home through Fredericton Junction.
Other excursion train posts:
The train was scheduled to leave at 2 PM, and I was well past Grand Bay on the South Bay Road by then. At 14:15 I decided to set up at mile 6 to wait for them, figuring they should be along any time. After about 10 minutes, Dave Dineen came along and we waited together. I heard on the scanner that they were passing NBSR 3703 in the yard at about 14:25 so it was obvious they were late. They showed up at 14:39.
We chased them from there, but we were stuck behind a very slow yellow car and did not catch up to them for quite a while. They passed under us at the overpass by the Co-Op in Grand Bay, and we finally started (slowly) catching up to them through Grand Bay. Another slow vehicle kept us from getting ahead of them until we had left Grand Bay. I chose to get them at Westfield Beach, at 14:57.
Right after they passed the siding, they slowed right down. It became clear that there was a slow order between mile 14 (Westfield Beach) and mile 17. Too bad for the passengers, good for us! I think it was a 10 MPH slow order so it was no problem at all to keep leapfrogging the train.
Here they are at 15:03 just past the Westfield Beach overpass.
And again at 15:08 at Sagwa?
A little farther down the line at 15:12. Notice the railfan on the side of the road filming the train. I didn't recognize this person.
I always wanted to shoot a train on the bridge at mile 17. This was my chance!
They opened it right up after that and I barely beat them to the LaFarge road crossing. I slapped the tripod up, turned the camera on, and just managed to catch this at 15:19.
I taped them at the highway 7 crossing at 15:23, then went to the west end of the siding to see 9803 run around the train. They had to stop to line the switches, go through derails, etc. so it is a bit time-consuming to do the runaround.
They went back across highway 7 at 15:50. Here they are at 16:04.
I shot them at 16:06, taped them at 16:08 and shot them again at 16:10. Thank you, slow order!
For my final shot, I decided to try shooting them at Westfield Beach from across the Nerepis River. I crossed the river beside the old CN line and set up at the little trail shack on the other side. They showed up at 16:20. The shot was a little hazy and they were behind the MOW equipment in the siding, but hey, it was worth a try.
After all that excitement, I thought I might have a chance to get the eastbound freight too. We proceeded up the back way through Wirral, Hoyt and so forth. As I approached the lumber yard outside Fredericton Junction, I saw boxcars going the other way at 17:00. I turned around but they got to the highway crossing before I did. I caught up to them by the Hoyt Station Road and I decided to try to get them at Enniskillen.
That was a bad choice, as it took too long to get down to the tracks from the highway. I should have kept on to Wirral - it's closer to the road. As it happened, I saw the crossing lights on as I approached the crossing and NBSR 9802 East burst through as I was slowing to stop. The train had NBSR 9802, 2319, 2318 and 9801 leading a 57-car consist:
2 MEC hoppers
13 extra-height boxcars
4 MEC hoppers
6 extra-height boxcars
2 cryo boxcars
5 extra-height boxcars
2 cryo boxcars
1 long boxcar
3 extra-height boxcars
2 cryo boxcars
1 extra-height boxcar
2 DTTX container flats (one single, one doublestack)
3 autoracks
1 empty centerbeam flat
10 woodchip cars (BAR, NBSR, MMA)
244 axles, according to the Hoyt hotbox detector.
We gave up after that, and headed for home through Fredericton Junction.
Other excursion train posts:
- NB Southern - May 2010
- Napa Valley Wine Train - March 2014
- Maine Eastern - October 2010
- Prairie Dog Central - July 2011
VIA 15 at Gloucester Junction
Another video found on YouTube - this one of VIA 15 at Gloucester Junction outside Bathurst with VIA 6400 leading. Nice work.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Cracked Railpictures again
With a lot of persistence, I finally got two more photos into Railpictures.net.
This one, of the Rally of Hope train from two weeks ago crossing the Reversing Falls, and this one of the same train at Welsford. I must have caught the screener in a weak moment. ;)
Only 5 more before I will be listed in the photographer list and be considered a "real" photographer. ;)
This one, of the Rally of Hope train from two weeks ago crossing the Reversing Falls, and this one of the same train at Welsford. I must have caught the screener in a weak moment. ;)
Only 5 more before I will be listed in the photographer list and be considered a "real" photographer. ;)
Acadian Railway photos
Ron Grant was on the "promo train" before it first started carrying passengers and has some photos online.
Friday, June 08, 2007
The Other Acadian Railway
I wanted to take a minute to talk about the "other" Acadian Railway, the tourist operation that ran in 2002 and 2003.
The railway operated up to ten Budd cars between Montreal and Saint John, on daylight-only trips on the "Acadian". Passengers stayed overnight at hotels in Greenville, Maine. Sharon McDonnell chronicled her trip in TravelLady Magazine. The first Acadian train ran on June 11, 2002.
They had another train, the "Lake Champlain", between Montreal and New York City. If I recall these were private cars tacked on to the end of Amtrak trains but I may be wrong. Anyone know more details?
They featured numerous trip packages that included side trips to Maritime tourist attractions, and linked up with tour buses and VIA Rail.
On June 5, 2003, the Acadian Railway stopped operating excursions. They informed the Canadian Transportation Agency on July 14 that they no longer had insurance, and in order number 2003-R-494 their certificate of fitness was revoked.
The president, Randy Parten, cited numerous reasons for the termination (such as a depressed economy, SARS, and mad cow disease, of all things) but the reality was that ridership was low. There were some discussions about resuming operations in 2004 but that did not happen.
I regret very much that I never saw the train, even once. My good friend David Morris has photos of every run so I hope I can present a few photos from him.
In the interim, have a look at these photos. The photo above is from the same site.
Bill Linley featured an article on the railway in the July 2002 Transport 2000 Atlantic newsletter.
By the way, do not go to acadianrailway.com unless you want unwanted software installed on your computer. The domain name has been taken over and is being abused.
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